To the Editor:
Re “An American Pope” (entrance web page, Might 9):
In an age of crises and confusion, it’s no small factor to have a brand new pope. Humanity longs for an ethical compass, and Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, might be that uncommon information. In him, we hope for the dual virtues of logic and justice. Let this papacy be a light-weight in darkening instances, and astonishingly, a uncommon second to be proud to be an American.
However greater than hope, we’d like braveness. Authoritarianism is not creeping; it’s parading in capitals from Moscow to Budapest to Washington. The pope, above politics but not past reality, can converse the inconvenient phrase when others stay silent.
After which there may be capitalism, an excellent machine now spinning wildly uncontrolled. When so few palms maintain many of the world’s wealth and billions develop poorer, divine justice calls for a reckoning. A pope with readability and braveness can name for not simply charity, however drastic change as nicely. So the want “God bless America” might need a more true that means.
Dimitris Eleas
Brooklyn
To the Editor:
I hope the significance of the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope shouldn’t be misplaced on any American, whether or not Catholic or not. This new pope, who has spent his life championing social justice, stands in stark distinction to our egocentric and merciless American president.
Might it’s that the conclave intentionally chosen an American pope to assist us keep in mind America the Lovely? You keep in mind that America, proper? The America all of us cherished and believed in — America the Useful — who fed the poor and ravenous world wide.
That America. Not Donald Trump’s America.
John R. Scannell
Sammamish, Wash.
To the Editor:
As we transfer deeper into the season of spring and new life, it’s refreshing that the Roman Catholic Church has chosen a pope who’s a frontrunner who believes in inclusiveness fairly than demonization of “different individuals.” President Trump has gone out of his strategy to forged aspersions on the people who find themselves not “native born,” and notably on many individuals in Latin America.
The brand new pope spent a variety of years as a missionary in Peru. Throughout his tenure there he grew to become a naturalized Peruvian citizen. He’s a twin nationwide. Spanish is without doubt one of the languages that he speaks fluently. At a time when the USA is being led by a president who suffers from xenophobia, the roughly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics on the earth at the moment are led by a frontrunner who believes in inclusion and lifting individuals — all individuals — up.
In these troubled instances, the world wants a pope like Leo XIV greater than ever.
Roland Nicholson Jr.
Washington
To the Editor:
On the world stage this American pope would be the counterforce to the American president — whether or not he needs it or not.
Cheshire Frager
Queens
To the Editor:
I don’t see the way it issues the place Pope Leo XIV was born. He spent the vast majority of his non secular life exterior of the USA and lately on the proper hand of Pope Francis. I believe we do faith a disservice after we cherry decide from non secular scripture to show our political positions and a disservice to society after we enable the church to enter politics on any aspect.
I hope that Pope Leo XIV will preach the ideas that Jesus taught and keep in mind that among the custom within the church got here from choices made over time by males, not by an infallible God.
Thomas Renner
New York
To the Editor:
To a strayed Catholic, Pope Leo XIV might affirm the existence of God. To obtain him at a time when the clouds appear very darkish in the USA is really a blessing.
Neil Goodhue
Pebble Seashore, Calif.
Presidential Earnings
To the Editor:
Re “Trumps’ 3-Continent Rush to Revenue Has Few Parallels” (entrance web page, Might 5):
Simply as President Trump has minted a brand new era of Republican politicians who emulate his bombastic model, tearing aside our social material and our establishments, we’ll quickly have politicians who search the Oval Workplace primarily to boost their private wealth.
There have at all times been politicians who use their workplace for private acquire, however nothing compares with the size of our president’s greed. The concept of public service, lengthy the litmus take a look at for political leaders of all events, will disappear, to get replaced by a profit-making mannequin.
Whereas Congress might and may act now to cease this pattern in its tracks, given its poor oversight document up to now on this administration, it’s unlikely to take action. It might not be an exaggeration to say that quickly we might all be dwelling in USA Inc.
David Baldwin
Petaluma, Calif.
